Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesESPN's turning to a man's man for this job.
Jon Hamm has been tapped to host the 2013 ESPY Awards, which celebrates the finest moments in sports over the last 12 months, including the year's best plays, biggest upsets and most awesome performances.
The Mad Men star broke the news during his appearance this morning on Live With Kelly and Michael while making the publicity rounds for Mad Men's sixth season, which kicked off a few weeks ago on AMC.
Given that Hamm's a Missouri native who's been a loyal fan of all of St. Louis' sports franchises —from major league baseball's St. Louis Cardinals and the city's old NFL team to the NHL's St. Louis Blues—he looks to be the perfect choice. And it also helps that he's a bit of a ham after bringing the funny in Bridesmaids as well as in appearances on 30 Rock and SNL.
"I'm very excited to be hosting the ESPYs," the 42-year-old thesp said. "As a longtime sports fan and a marginally successful high school athlete I feel my skill set jibes well with a host's duties. I now have to figure out what cleats to wear with a tuxedo."
As it happens, Hamm is also due to star in a baseball-themed drama this summer for Disney. Million Dollar Arm will find the Golden Globe-winning actor playing a disillusioned sports agent who seeks professional pitching talent by holding a reality show competition in India.
The 21st annual ESPYs are set to be broadcast live on ESPN on July 17 from Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.